Los Angeles Clippers vs Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Pick & Prediction 1/2/25

At 8:00 ET, the Thunder (-443) will host the Clippers (+341) in a Western Conference matchup. Oklahoma City is currently on a 12-game win streak and is favored by 9.5 points.

This game will be played at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City and can be seen on FDSO.

LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS VS OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER BETTING PICK

The Pick: Los Angeles Clippers +9.5

This game will be played at Paycom Center at 8:00 ET on Thursday, January 2nd.

WHY BET THE LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 114-112 in favor of the Thunder.
• Our projections have Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finishing with 29 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists.
• From the field, we have the Thunder finishing with a field goal percentage of 47.8% and knocking down 13 threes.

Do the Clippers Have What it Takes in Oklahoma City?

The Clippers fell to 19-14 on the season after a 122-86 road loss to the Spurs on Tuesday. Entering the game as +3.5 point underdogs, Los Angeles lost by 36 points, failing to cover the spread. The combined score of 208 points was below the O/U line of 219.

San Antonio took control with a 10-0 run, extending their lead from 52-36 to 62-36. The Clippers couldn’t recover, as the Spurs outscored them 31-17 in the 1st quarter and 32-26 in the 2nd. Heading into the 4th quarter, Los Angeles trailed 91-63, and the Spurs finished strong, outscoring them 31-23 in the final period.

In their 122-86 loss to the Spurs, the Clippers struggled offensively, shooting just 34.5% from the field and 26.8% from three-point range, making 11 threes. James Harden led the way with 17 points, 13 of which came in the 1st quarter.

Norman Powell added 15 points, with 12 coming in the 2nd quarter, while Amir Coffey contributed 14 points, scoring 7 in the 4th. Harden also hit 2 threes at a 33.3% rate.

The Clippers struggled defensively, giving up 122 points to the Spurs, who shot 49% from the field. Los Angeles allowed 31 points in both the 1st and 4th quarters, with 32 points in the 2nd and 28 in the 3rd.

Despite the loss, the Clippers did well in limiting San Antonio’s three-point shooting, holding them to 22% with just 9 made threes. The Spurs went 17/19 from the free-throw line. The Clippers recorded 7 steals and 3 blocks.

Will the Thunder Win at Paycom Center?

The Thunder improved to 27-5 on the season with a 113-105 win over the Timberwolves on Tuesday. Oklahoma City, favored by seven points, covered the spread, while the game’s total of 218 points narrowly exceeded the over/under line of 216.5.

Oklahoma City took control with a 13-0 run, turning a 65-55 deficit into a 68-65 lead. They dominated the 3rd quarter, outscoring Minnesota 43-23, and entered the 4th quarter up 89-75, holding off the Timberwolves’ late push.

In the Thunder’s win over the Timberwolves, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander poured in 40 points, shooting 65.2% from the field and hitting 3 threes at a 60% clip. Luguentz Dort contributed 14 points, knocking down 4 threes at 57.1%, while Isaiah Hartenstein added 15 points and 10 rebounds.

As a team, the Thunder shot 47.2% from the field and made 12 threes at 33.3%. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 19 points in the 3rd quarter, while Hartenstein added 9 points in the 4th.

The Thunder defense held the Timberwolves to 105 points, despite Minnesota shooting 49% from the field. Oklahoma City gave up 24 points in the 1st quarter and 28 in the 2nd, but they tightened up in the 3rd, allowing just 23 points. The Timberwolves scored 30 in the 4th, but the Thunder still secured the win.

From beyond the arc, Minnesota hit 15 threes at a 39% clip. The Timberwolves also went 12/12 from the free-throw line. The Thunder finished with 28 defensive rebounds, gave up 10 offensive boards, and recorded 16 steals.